Clockwork Beast MTG Card


Clockwork Beast offers card advantage and can pressure opponents through its initial counter reserves. Its high mana cost and discard requirement to replenish power counters are notable drawbacks. Despite cons, its versatility and combo potential make it worthy of collection consideration.
Card setsReleased in 17 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost6
RarityRare
TypeArtifact Creature — Beast
Power 0
Toughness 4

Text of card

Put seven +1/+0 counters on Beast. After Beast attacks or blocks a creature, discard a counter. During the untap phase, controller may buy back lost counters for 1 mana per counter instead of untapping Beast; this taps Beast if it wasn't tapped already.


Cards like Clockwork Beast

Exploring the mechanics of Clockwork Beast from MTG, one can draw parallels with other artifact creatures that manipulate +1/+1 counters. Clockwork Beast, which originally appeared in the Base Set, uses counters to illustrate its battery-like depleting power over time. Mechanically kindred, the Arcbound series—including staples like Arcbound Ravager—also revolves around the modular usage of +1/+1 counters, offering a comparison in the way these artifacts evolve or regress on the battlefield.

While Clockwork Beast requires a substantial mana cost and decreases in power with each attack, it holds an interesting niche in MTG’s history of artifact creatures. Contrasting this with something more contemporary like Steel Overseer, there’s a clear evolution. Steel Overseer allows for a more active counter distribution across all your artifacts, not just itself. The upgraded flexibility and control over how and when to use those counters illustrates a shift in design and utility over time within artifact-centric decks.

In essence, understanding and comparing Clockwork Beast to its modern counterparts can give a comprehensive view of the design and gameplay progression in MTG’s artifact creatures. It’s a reflection not just of the individual card’s strategic depth, but also of the broader context of its type and role in shaping the artifact creature archetype.

Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions
Arcbound Ravager - MTG Card versions
Steel Overseer - MTG Card versions

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Triskelion - MTG Card versions
Armageddon Clock - MTG Card versions
Mirror Universe - MTG Card versions
Sword of the Ages - MTG Card versions
Planar Gate - MTG Card versions
Urza's Avenger - MTG Card versions
Bronze Tablet - MTG Card versions
Shapeshifter - MTG Card versions
Celestial Sword - MTG Card versions
Voodoo Doll - MTG Card versions
Book of Rass - MTG Card versions
Tetravus - MTG Card versions
Joven's Tools - MTG Card versions
Serpent Generator - MTG Card versions
Flowstone Sculpture - MTG Card versions
Workhorse - MTG Card versions
Well of Discovery - MTG Card versions
Phyrexian Hulk - MTG Card versions
Feroz's Ban - MTG Card versions
Wurmcoil Engine - MTG Card versions

Card Pros

Card Advantage: The Clockwork Beast can be a source of ongoing advantage. Once on the battlefield, this complex contraption can give its controller incremental benefits each turn, adding to the sustainability and resilience of their game plan.

Resource Acceleration: While not a direct ramp card, Clockwork Beast’s entrance into the fray with seven +1/+0 counters allows for aggressive tactics early on. Over time, as you manage the counters and combat, it provides an implicit form of resource acceleration by pressuring the opponent and dictating the flow of the game.

Instant Speed: Despite Clockwork Beast not operating at instant speed itself, it rewards strategic play during your turn. Offering intriguing interactions with artifacts or abilities that can untap creatures or modify counters at instant speed, it enhances the tactical depth and flexibility of your strategy.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: Engaging with Clockwork Beast often entails a discard mechanic to replenish its power counters. This mandatory action can leave you at a card disadvantage, especially when your hand size is critical.

Specific Mana Cost: Clockwork Beast demands a precise combination of six mana, including one artifact. This restricts the card’s harmony with faster-paced or more color-diverse decks that could struggle to produce the necessary mana.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: With seven mana to cast, Clockwork Beast stands on the pricier side of creatures. Considering its limited immediate board impact and subsequent end-of-combat phase restriction, one could argue that similar mana investments might yield more dynamic creature options.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Clockwork Beast can complement various deck builds, providing a reliable body that can be recharged via its winding mechanism. Its adaptability is suited for decks that seek to maintain a board presence with creatures that can recover from damage taken.

Combo Potential: This artifact creature synergizes well with cards that capitalize on artifacts or creature abilities. With the right setup, Clockwork Beast can become an integral part of a combo, consistently offering utility or benefiting from untapping mechanics.

Meta-Relevance: In a game environment that values resiliency and staying power, Clockwork Beast negotiates a niche role. It’s especially handy for outlasting opponents in matches where attrition can dictate the outcome, providing enduring value to your creature roster.


How to Beat Clockwork Beast

Clockwork Beast is a unique artifact creature in Magic: The Gathering, known for its ability to enter the battlefield with seven +1/+1 counters. While initially formidable, this creature loses a counter each time it attacks, gradually reducing its threat level. Understanding its mechanics is key to countering it effectively.

To combat Clockwork Beast, it’s essential to adopt a strategy that either prevents it from attacking or makes its attacks less impactful. Artifact removal spells like Shatter or Nature’s Claim can directly eliminate the threat. Ensnaring creatures in pacifism effects or utilizing cards that restrict the ability to attack, such as Meekstone, especially since Clockwork Beast has a higher power, are also effective tactics.

Another angle is to be mindful of counter manipulation; exploiting the Beast’s need to tap and the time it takes to rebuild counters through cards like Pithing Needle or Phyrexian Revoker, naming Clockwork Beast, to lock down its counter-gaining ability. By anticipating and interrupting your opponent’s plans for Clockwork Beast, you can mitigate the impact of this once-powerful creature and maintain control of the battlefield.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Clockwork Beast MTG card by a specific set like Limited Edition Alpha and Limited Edition Beta, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Clockwork Beast and other MTG cards:

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Printings

The Clockwork Beast Magic the Gathering card was released in 16 different sets between 1993-08-05 and 2022-11-28. Illustrated by 2 different artists.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
11993-08-05Limited Edition AlphaLEA 2361993NormalBlackDrew Tucker
21993-10-04Limited Edition BetaLEB 2371993NormalBlackDrew Tucker
31993-12-01Unlimited Edition2ED 2371993NormalWhiteDrew Tucker
41993-12-10Intl. Collectors' EditionCEI 2371993NormalBlackDrew Tucker
51993-12-10Collectors' EditionCED 2371993NormalBlackDrew Tucker
61994-04-01Revised Edition3ED 2401993NormalWhiteDrew Tucker
71994-04-01Foreign Black BorderFBB 2401993NormalBlackDrew Tucker
81994-06-21Summer Magic / EdgarSUM 2401993NormalWhiteDrew Tucker
91995-04-01Fourth Edition4ED 3071993NormalWhiteDrew Tucker
101995-04-01Fourth Edition Foreign Black Border4BB 3071993NormalBlackDrew Tucker
111996-07-01Rivals Quick Start SetRQS 481993NormalWhiteDrew Tucker
121996-12-31Introductory Two-Player SetITP 491993NormalWhiteDrew Tucker
131997-03-24Fifth Edition5ED 3561997NormalWhiteDrew Tucker
142000-10-01Beatdown Box SetBTD 701997NormalWhiteCarl Critchlow
152007-09-10Masters EditionME1 1531997NormalBlackDrew Tucker
162022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 2322015NormalBlackDrew Tucker
172022-11-2830th Anniversary Edition30A 5291997NormalBlackDrew Tucker

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Clockwork Beast has restrictions

FormatLegality
OldschoolLegal
CommanderLegal
LegacyLegal
PaupercommanderRestricted
OathbreakerLegal
PremodernLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
PredhLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Clockwork Beast card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2004-10-04 Can attack or block even if it has no counters.
2004-10-04 Loses a counter even if it is affected by a Fog-like effect which prevents it from dealing damage.
2007-09-16 Clockwork Beast’s last ability resolves, you can choose to put fewer than X +1/+0 counters on it.
2007-09-16 If Clockwork Beast has seven or fewer +1/+0 counters on it when its last ability resolves, it can wind up a maximum of seven such counters on it. If it has seven or more +1/+0 counters on it, the ability will have no effect.
2007-09-16 This is a change from the most recent wording. Now, if some other spell or ability causes +1/+0 counters to be put on Clockwork Beast, it can wind up with more than seven such counters on it.